There’s no knowing in advance what will happen on any journey. In our Gospel reading from Luke for this Sunday, we hear a story about two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They were bereaved and bereft at the death of their friend Jesus. On the journey to Emmaus, from Jerusalem, they met a stranger.That stranger turned out to be the risen Jesus, but they failed to recognise him. The disciples opened up tothe stranger and the stranger listened and encouraged them to talk. The disciples shared their upset and disillusionment at the loss of their friend, their Lord, and in doing so perhaps began to gain a clearer perspective.The disciples offered the stranger hospitality and the chance to stay with them. As they sat to share a meal the stranger took the bread, blessed it and broke it. Only at that moment did the disciples recognise their friend and Saviour. When the disciples set off for Emmaus, little did they know that their journey would take them from disbelief to faith.In the last 5 weeks of lockdown we have all journeyed together through times of confusion, heartache and disbelief. But amidst the difficulties, I wonder how many strangers have crossed your path, often emerging from the shadows to give you hope and increase your faith in humankind. We give thanks for all those who are our ‘local heroes’, bringing hope and help in our darkest times. Strangers in health care, supermarket and so many other uniforms who are now our greatest support and strength.There’s no knowing in advance what will happen on any journey, but what we do know is that God is with us always. When you next encounter a ‘stranger’, remember that they could be ‘angels unawares’.May God bless you all as we continue this particular journey together...Every blessing,Christian
Act of Worship The Third Sunday of EasterLord, direct our thoughts, and teach us to pray. Lift up our hearts to worship you in spirit and in truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Stay with us, remain here with us.Watch and pray. Watch and pray.Acts 2:14a, 36-41Let us pray:Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Prayer for the day:Risen Christ, you filled your disciples with boldness and fresh hope: strengthen us to proclaim your risen life and fill us with your peace, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.Luke 24:13-35They told how Jesus had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.We cannot share in the bread and wine which is provided by human endeavour and the ingredients which grow in abundance thanks to God, and yet we share in the body and cup of our Lord Jesus Christ as we follow him in spirit and in truth through the journey of the cross and resurrection.Do look out for the vicar's message, to be posted here separately.Prayers for the Church, the world, our community, families and friends, and all who are sick, suffering or bereaved, followed by the Lord’s prayer:Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.Father of all, we give you thanks and praise that when we were still far off you met us in your Son and brought us home. Dying and living, he declared your love, gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory. May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life; we who drink his cup bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.Hymn (to listen to on line, play, or join in with):I cannot tell why He, whom angels worship, should set His love upon the sons of men, or why, as Shepherd, He should seek the wand’rers, to bring them back, they know not how or when..May the love of the Lord Jesus draw us to himself, the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in his service, the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our hearts; and may the blessing of God Almighty who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon us and and be with us always. Amen.Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the name of Christ. Amen.
Lord, direct our thoughts, and teach us to pray. Lift up our hearts to worship you in spirit and in truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Breathe on us, breath of God. Fill us with life anew, that as you love so may we love, and do what you would do.Acts 2:14a, 22-32Let us pray:Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Prayer for the day:Risen Christ, for whom no door is locked, no entrance barred: open the doors of our hearts, that we may seek the good of others and walk the joyful road of sacrifice and peace, to the praise of God the Father. Amen.John 20:19-31Peace. What does the word mean to you?Peace in the sense of no war?Peace in the sense of a still, quiet place - perhaps the bank of a slow-flowing river, or a calm sea?Peace in the sense of an absence of stress or anxiety or troubling thoughts?Peace in the sense of a deep, inner calm, a confident assurance of hope which overcomes fear?Jesus said “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit.”Jesus didn’t promise that people wouldn’t fight, that all would be still or quiet, or that nothing would give us cause for concern.The peace that Jesus gives is the inner calm, recognition of the love of God which will remain with us, giving us the strength and courage to see it through, whatever happens.We are given the guidance and gifts of the Holy Spirit as we follow the teaching and example of Jesus, living lives of service with sacrificial, generous love.May the peace of the Lord be with you as we see this lockdown through.And may the peace of the Lord be always with you.Prayers for the Church, the world, our community, families and friends, and all who are sick, suffering or bereaved, followed by the Lord’s prayer.We cannot share in the bread and wine, and yet we share in the body and cup of our Lord Jesus Christ having followed him in spirit and in truth through the journey of the cross and resurrection.Father of all, we give you thanks and praise that when we were still far off you met us in your Son and brought us home. Dying and living, he declared your love, gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory. May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life; we who drink his cup bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.May the love of the Lord Jesus draw us to himself, the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in his service, the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our hearts; and may the blessing of God Almighty who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon us and and be with us always. Amen.Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the name of Christ. Amen.
<span style="font-size: 1rem;">This is the Sunday when we remember ‘Doubting Thomas’. Thomas refused to believe that the resurrected Jesus had appeared to the ten other disciples until he had seen and felt the wounds received by Jesus on the cross.</span>Doubt is often ridiculed, but doubt is an important element of a living faith. Thomas’ honesty and openness in questioning his friends’ experience of the resurrected Jesus creates a space into which the Risen Lord breathes new life and new understanding.This year, the week following Easter Day has been a great struggle for our nation. The tragic loss of so many fellow citizens to the Coronavirus inevitably leads us to doubt and uncertainty enters our minds.This week we salute front line health workers whose lives are being put at risk due to a lack of Personal Protective Equipment. Yet, in the face of practical doubts and uncertainties they heroically, sacrificially care for those most in need.Thomas’ doubt and uncertainty makes us all appreciate the reality of faith. Doubt and uncertainty is transformed by Jesus’ love for Thomas and his acceptance of our holy questioning on our journey of faith. Ultimately, we are drawn from honest and holy doubt into the resurrection experience of a faith made all the deeper for the struggle. Easter breathes new life into us all.May the God of love and Resurrection breathe new hope into us all as we keep all Key Workers in our prayers in the days and weeks ahead.Every blessing,Christian
